Paraguay’s World Cup knockout curse is also its superpower: penalties only
Paraguay defeated Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout at the 2026 World Cup, continuing a pattern where every knockout win in their history has come from the spot
Paraguay has now won exactly two knockout-stage matches in FIFA World Cup history. Both came via penalty shootouts.
On June 29, 2026, Paraguay knocked out Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw that stretched through extra time in Foxborough, Massachusetts. It was the first time Germany had ever lost a World Cup penalty shootout.
How Paraguay pulled off the upset
Germany struck first through Kai Havertz, putting Paraguay in the familiar position of chasing the match. Julio Enciso equalized for Paraguay, forcing the game into extra time and eventually penalties.
Once the shootout began, goalkeeper Orlando Gill became the story. His saves during the penalty sequence kept Paraguay alive long enough for José Canale to step up and deliver the decisive kick.
Paraguay’s only other knockout-stage victory came in the 2010 World Cup, when they beat Japan 5-3 on penalties. Two knockout wins, sixteen years apart, both decided from twelve yards.
This result marks Paraguay’s first advancement past the Round of 32 since that 2010 run.
The crypto angle: Kraken sponsorship and fan tokens
Kraken served as an official sponsor of the tournament. Chiliz, the blockchain platform behind fan tokens traded under the CHZ ticker, reportedly saw increased token values heading into the World Cup.
Paraguay now faces either France or Sweden in the last 16.